Following on (belatedly) from Eclectic Eavesdroppings Favourite Albums of the year, here are my Favourite Songs of 2011. Compressing the musical year into a mere twenty-five songs is a tough task for a music junkie like myself. Listing the songs in order of preference is near impossible. But either way, I’ve done my best to get a list together and even though it’s incredibly subjective, it sums up a very good year in music. Stream it as a playlist on YouTube over HERE or download a copy of the whole mix over HERE.
25. Avicii: Levels
The soundtrack to my summer. House perfection from the next David Guetta.
24. Coldplay: Paradise
Stadium sized pop/rock as it’s meant to sound. Coldplay got their mojo back.
23. J. Cole: Nobody’s Perfect
The future of rap has the perfect formula: skilled lyricism with a killer hook.
22. DJ Khaled: I’m On One feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross
Three of the best rappers around out do themselves on this space-age beat.
21. Sun Airway: Wild Palms
Close your eyes for this blissful journey into a warm dreamscape.
20. Polarsets: Sunshine Eyes (Channel Swimmer Remix)
The remix transforms this song from indie-rock into beautiful tropicalia.
19. Foster The People: Call It What You Want
Virally infectious pop from some cool Californians. Quit hattin.
18. Young Jeezy: I Do feat. Jay-Z & Andre 3000
An unintentional follow up to International Playas Anthem. The ultimate complement.
17. Raphael Saadiq: Movin Down The Line
Soulful swagger comes no smoother than this. Teleport back to the 1960’s.
16. Guillemots: I Don’t Feel Amazing Now
Some under-appreciated pop from the English countryside.
15. Adele: Someone Like You
Radio tried to overplay this song to death but its still achingly beautiful.
14. Smith Westerns: All Die Young
A group of reckless romantics specialise in fuzzy guitar pop. Me like.
13. Florence & the Machine: Shake It Out
Trademark booming vocals, catchy chorus and ethereal undertones.
12. Martin Solveig: The Night Out
On an album of hits, this was the pick of the bunch. Infectious French brilliance.
11. Jay-Z & Kanye West: Niggas in Paris
The euphoric anthem to any worthy night out. The very definition of swagger.
10. Drake: Over My Dead Body
This song encapsulates everything I love about Drake and his latest album. Flawless.
9. Various Cruelties: Neon Truth
Delightful pop/rock that went under the radar. Keep an ear out for these Londoners.
8. Los Rakas: Abrazame
The original was pretty awesome but the Latino flavouring takes it to new found heights.
7. Star Slinger: May I Walk With You
This song was the gateway drug to my addiction with this incredible remixer.
6. Bon Iver: Towers
A lot of songs could have been picked from this beautiful album. This was my highlight.
5. Theophilus London: Why Even Try
Oozing sexiness like no other. A timeless pop song with tropical synth tones.
4. The Weeknd: The Morning
A mesmerising song that paints a pitch perfect image. The future of R&B.
3. M83: Midnight City
This song has been on repeat for months, yet I’m still in love with it. Glorious.
2. Mayer Hawthorne: The Walk
Never has ‘Fuck You’ been sung so sweetly. Both soulful and playful in the right doses.
1. Lana Del Rey: Video Games
Screw the haters, this is a pop song for the ages. A beautiful beat combined with a magnificent piece of songwriting.
